Morocco's stunning Atlas Mountains are home to some of Africa's most dramatic landscapes and diverse wildlife.
They are also extremely remote, with few roads and infrastructure, and are very difficult to navigate. It is in this area where one of the most arduous and punishing races takes place, the Marathon des Sables (The Marathon of Sand).
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Billed as "the toughest footrace on Earth" the marathon covers 250 kilometres (equivalent to six back-to-back marathons) in seven days through mountains, desert and unforgivable 45 degree Celsius heat.
Blisters, heat exhaustion and sunburn are just some of the obstacles the participants will have to battle against as well as the physical demands of running this distance.
On top of this, runners must be entirely self-sufficient throughout the race and must carry all the equipment they need. The only assistance given is water at checkpoints and basic shelter at night.
In aid of charity
Health24's Yoga Expert Chris Loker will be joining 600 other entrants from over 30 countries (including SA) in trying to complete the race in April.
Loker will be raising money for what is an extremely worthwhile cause: Home from Home (PBO 930018003), a Cape-based charity that provides supervised foster care for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children.
Chris and others have decided to try and raise enough money to build a house that will host six abandoned children.
How to contribute
A daunting figure of R250 000 can only be achieved with generous and broad support. Ways to contribute include:
1) sponsoring an amount of money per completed kilometre
2) sponsoring an amount contingent on Chris finishing
3) donating an amount irrespective of the race outcome
If you would like to pledge an amount, send an e-mail to chris@moksha.biz and he will contact you again at the end of April to arrange payment. Any amount over the cost of the house would go towards the running costs of the home.
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